Understanding Coronavirus Symptoms

Symptoms of coronavirus often show up within two to 14 days of exposure. Some of the most common symptoms include the following:

• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue

Less common symptoms of coronaviruse can include:

• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Severe fatigue
• Sneezing
• Sore eyes
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Persistent cough
• Hoarse voice
• Difficulty sleeping
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Severe symptoms of COVID-19 can include the following:

• Difficulty breathing at rest or being unable to speak full sentences
• Drowsiness or an inability to stay awake
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Cold, clammy skin
• Pale or bluish skin or lips
• Pain or pressure in the chest
• Loss of movement or speech
• People who are experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate emergency medical attention.

Coronavirus can have different symptoms in different populations. Children are just as likely to catch COVID-19 as adults, but they are less likely to become seriously ill. However, some children with COVID-19 can experience serious complications that require hospitalization; some may need to be placed on a ventilator or breathing machine. Some factors that can increase the risk of severe complications in children include having multiple chronic conditions, being born premature, having a weakened immune system, and having type 1 or 2 diabetes. Infants under age 1 are also at risk of severe symptoms.

As people age, they are also at higher risk of developing severe complications from coronavirus, likely because older adults are more likely to have underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems. People over age 75 are nine times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to people ages 18 to 39.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are different for everyone, but they usually appear two to 14 days after infection. Symptoms may start as mild, but they should not be ignored. Treatment during the first few days of symptoms can prevent progression and severe complications.

About four to six days after symptoms start, they may worsen for some people. They may lose their senses of taste or smell or develop a worsening cough. It is essential to track symptoms, particularly after the first five days, as this is when complications can begin to appear.

Most people may feel better about a week after symptoms begin and completely recover after ten days. If, at this point, your symptoms are worsening, contact a medical professional.

Many symptoms of coronavirus overlap with those of colds, flu, and allergies, but there are important differences. Flu and coronavirus share many symptoms, including cough, fever, and body aches. The main difference is that flu symptoms tend to develop faster than COVID-19 symptoms, as early as one day after exposure. One telltale sign that you may have coronavirus and not flu is if you lose your sense of smell or taste, but the only way to know for sure is to take a test.

Cold symptoms are also similar to flu and COVID-19, but cold symptoms are generally milder and do not last as long.

Allergies can also cause a runny nose and sneezing. If you are experiencing itchy eyes or ears or if your symptoms respond to allergy medication, it is likely you are experiencing an allergic response to something in the environment that is not contagious.

Long COVID is a chronic condition that occurs after a coronavirus infection and lasts for at least three months. Long COVID can have a wide range of symptoms that can worsen, improve, or continue over time. Long COVID is more common in people with severe coronavirus symptoms, but it can happen to anyone. In fact, some people can get long COVID without even knowing they were infected with COVID in the first place. Those more at risk for long COVID include women, Hispanic and Latino people, people with underlying health conditions, people 65 or older, or those who did not receive a vaccination against COVID-19. Symptoms of long COVID can include the following:

• Brain fog
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Tremors
• Heart palpitations
• Rapid heartbeat
• Cough
• Dry mouth
• Chest pain or tightness
• Hair loss
• Sleep problems
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Skin rash

To manage symptoms of COVID-19 at home, take over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Rest as much as possible, stay hydrated, and eat nutritious foods. If you experience difficulty breathing, have trouble staying awake, experience contestant chest pain or pressure, or have bluish lips, skin, or nail beds, seek emergency medical attention right away.

Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms and will start to feel better within a week to ten days, but some others may require medical attention. People over 50 or those with compromised immune systems or one or more underlying health issues should talk to their doctor as soon as symptoms appear. They may be more likely to experience severe symptoms or complications that can be avoided with available medical treatments. Anyone who experiences trouble breathing, trouble waking up or staying awake, confusion, persistent chest pain, or pale or bluish skin, lips, or nail beds should seek emergency medical care.

Tests for coronavirus are available over-the-counter, through your healthcare provider, and at pharmacies.

When taking a test at home, read the instructions carefully for the most accurate result. Most COVID-19 tests use a sample of saliva or a sample taken from mucous in your nose or throat. There are multiple types of tests, including molecular tests, antigen tests, and PCR tests. PCR tests are more accurate and are usually done by healthcare professionals and processed in a lab,

If you have symptoms, test right away. If you were exposed to COVID-19 but don't have symptoms, wait five days after exposure to test. To avoid spreading the virus, you should also test before a large event or contact with people who are at high risk of complications.

To prevent the spread of coronavirus, consider getting vaccinated. If you have coronavirus, stay home and away from others if you have symptoms. You may need to isolate longer if you are immunocompromised. Talk to your doctor for guidance on how long you need to isolate.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms and have to be around other people, wearing a mask can help stop the spread, such as social distancing and frequent handwashing. If your symptoms improve and you have not had a fever and have not taken a fever reducer in the last 24 hours, you can safely be around other people, but you should always consult with a healthcare professional to be sure.

Research has found that COVID-19 infections can have long-term effects on mental health. Researchers found that a high proportion of those who survived coronavirus had fatigue, anxiety, depression, poor sleep quality, and PTSD a year after the infection. These symptoms were more likely for those who used alcohol, smoked, or had a history of chronic illness. If you have COVID-19, there are some things you can do to help manage the mental health impacts, including the following:

• Stay connected to friends and family through text, video chats, phone calls, and social media
• Stay hydrated and eat nutritious food
• Practice stress management techniques like meditation, mindfulness, and yoga
• Work with a therapist to manage significant stress and anxiety

Viruses like the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes coronavirus mutate frequently to evade recognition by antibodies. Doing so usually makes them less able to bind to the cells they are targeting, but the newest FLiRT variants have approved the virus's ability to bind. Generally, COVID-19 mutations result in milder symptoms, likely because our immune systems have gotten better at fighting off the virus, but future mutations may lead to new or more severe symptoms, which is why staying up-to-date about emerging variants is important.

Coronavirus symptoms can mimic those of the flu, allergies, or the common cold. If you are experiencing symptoms, testing is the only way to know whether you have COVID-19. Although variants of this virus have generally led to milder forms of the disease, mutations can occur at any time that can lead to different or more severe symptoms. Wearing a mask, isolating when you are symptomatic, and getting vaccinated are the best ways to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases new updates about COVID-19 every Monday and Friday on the COVID Data Tracker site.